1.
Boston Conservatory
–
The Boston Conservatory is a performing arts conservatory located in the Fenway-Kenmore neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts, United States. It grants undergraduate and graduate degrees in music, dance and theater, the Boston Conservatory was founded in 1867. In recent years, the school has become informally known as BoCo. In December 2015, Berklee College of Music and The Boston Conservatory agreed to merge, the merge was official in Summer 2016. The combined institution, located in Boston’s historic Back Bay and Fenway neighborhoods, is now known as “Berklee, ” with the Conservatory being “Boston Conservatory at Berklee. ”The Boston Conservatory was founded on February 11,1867 by Julius Eichberg, a violinist and composer. Eichberg founded the Conservatory as a training academy and a community music school. It was one of the first conservatories to grant admission to African Americans, in 1873, Eichberg’s operetta, “The Doctor of Alcontara” was performed at the Conservatory by the first African-American opera company in the U. S. In 1878, Eichberg established the Eichberg String Quartet, the first professional female quartet, mr. Eichbergs death in 1893 lead to the direction of R. Marriner Floyd with Herman P. Chelius, organist and composer serving as the musical director. Under their direction, the school was first incorporated in 1896, after the turn of the century, the Conservatory merged with the National Associated Studios of Music, and created the first grand opera department in the U. S. In 1943, Jan Veen established The Boston Conservatory Dance Division, in 1951, the school gained authority to award Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees in drama and dance. Currently, The Boston Conservatory is an independent private college which has accredited programs in music, dance, the Conservatory presents more than 700 performances each year. In 2015, The Boston Conservatory began talks with Berklee College of Music to explore a merger of the two schools, on January 19,2016, the two schools announced that they would be merging. The agreement was signed the day, with Berklee College of Music being renamed Berklee. The Music Division For the 2014-2015 school year, the Music Division enrolled 198 undergraduate and 211 graduate students taught by 114 full-, the school awards the Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees as well as Graduate Performance Diplomas, Artist Diplomas and Professional Studies Certificates. The Dance Division For the 2014-2015 school year, the Dance Division enrolled 129 undergraduate students, training in ballet, modern, jazz, tap, ethnic styles, Pilates, Alexander Technique, and choreography is offered. The Dance Division offers the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, the Director of the Dance Division is Cathy Young. The B. F. A. in contemporary dance program has been recognized by Backstage and Onstage. com as the best contemporary dance program in the country. The department offers the Bachelor of Fine Arts and Master of Fine Arts degrees, seniors may choose an emphasis in Directing, Music Performance, Dance, or Acting
2.
Sarah Caldwell
–
Sarah Caldwell was an American opera conductor, impresario, and stage director. Caldwell was born in Maryville, Missouri, and grew up in Fayetteville and she was a child prodigy and gave public performances on the violin by the time she was ten years old. She graduated from Fayetteville High School at the age of 14, Caldwell graduated from Hendrix College in 1944 and attended the University of Arkansas as well as the New England Conservatory of Music. She won a scholarship as a player at the Berkshire Music Center in 1946. In 1947, she staged Vaughan Williamss Riders to the Sea, for 11 years she served as the chief assistant to Boris Goldovsky. Caldwell moved to Boston, Massachusetts, in 1952 and became head of the Boston University opera workshop. In 1957 she started the Boston Opera Group, which became the Opera Company of Boston and she was also known for putting together interesting variations on standard operas. At the New York City Opera, Caldwell staged Der junge Lord and Ariadne auf Naxos, in 1976, she both conducted and directed Il barbiere di Siviglia, which was televised over PBS, and did the same for Falstaff in 1979. In 1976, Caldwell became the first female conductor at the Metropolitan Opera, in 1978, she led Lelisir damore there, with José Carreras and Judith Blegen. She appeared with the New York Philharmonic, the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, also in 1976 she directed John La Montaines U. S. Bicentennial opera Be Glad Then, America with Odetta, Donald Gramm, Richard Lewis, David Lloyd, and the Penn State University Choirs, Caldwell also directed one non-musical production, the 1981 Lincoln Center staging of Shakespeares Macbeth, presented on cable TV in 1982. It starred Philip Anglim and Maureen Anderman, with a then-unknown Kelsey Grammer in the role of Ross. In 1975 Caldwell received a D. F. A. from Bates College, in 1996 she received the National Medal of Arts. She has been inducted into the Arkansas Entertainers Hall of Fame, in the 1980s, Opera New England, a branch of Ms. Caldwells Opera Company of Boston, was the touring ambassador of opera to the New England states. She employed young professional singers in productions that were fully staged and she died, aged 82, at Maine Medical Center in Portland, Maine, from heart failure. She is remembered on the Boston Womens Heritage Trail, donizetti, Don Pasquale EMI Rossini, Il barbiere di Siviglia Learn everything you can, anytime you can, from anyone you can - there will always come a time when you will be grateful you did. If you approach an opera as though it were something that went a certain way. I approach an opera as though I didnt know it, if you can sell green toothpaste in this country, you can sell opera
3.
Opera Company of Boston
–
The Opera Company of Boston was an American opera company located in Boston, Massachusetts, that was active from the late 1950s through the 1980s. The company was founded by American conductor Sarah Caldwell in 1958 under the name Boston Opera Group, at one time, the touring arm of the company was called Opera New England. Caldwell served as director and conductor for most of the companys productions throughout its more than three decade-long history. This focus on distinctive repertoire, along with Caldwells innovative stage direction, garnered the group wide acclaim, in 1990, after 32 seasons, the company was forced to close due to financial difficulties. Hailed by The Boston Globe as a production, the company was invited to present the work on the lawn of the White House in a performance attended by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. On the heels of this success, Caldwell decided to stage a production of Puccinis La bohème, at this point the opera company did not have a home theatre. The fifty-year-old Boston Opera House had been in disuse for a time and was torn down just months before Caldwell founded her company. Finally in 1975 the company settled on renting the Orpheum Theatre where it held performances for the five years. Although the Orpheum Theater was adequate for the needs, Caldwell dreamed of having her own facility. In 1978 the company bought the B. F. Keith Memorial Theater, the theater was acquired with the help of opera patron Susan Timken, the heiress to a prominent New England company fortune. At the time of its purchase, the theatre was run-down but had a lot of potential, being able to seat 2,500 people, however, the stage was only 35 feet deep, and therefore somewhat limiting. Further, a renovation of the theatre was impossible, as the company was not able to afford the expense of all the necessary repairs. In spite of problems, Caldwell pressed ahead and the company moved into their new home in 1980. Eventually the cost of upkeep on the proved to be too much as more and more things began to break down. The company could not afford to maintain the building and sold it after the 1989/1990 season to a Texas developer, although the company still technically existed for another year, they never produced another opera after this point. Throughout its history an impressive roster of singers have performed with the Opera Company of Boston, even from the beginning years at the Donnelly, Caldwell was able to attract first rate artists, most notably Beverly Sills and Joan Sutherland, to the companys roster. She also had an eye for emerging talent with singers like James Billings getting their start with the company, likewise, a number of notable people have worked on the staff of the company or have served in some other artistic capacity. Ralph Lyford served as the associate conductor for a number of years
4.
Brotherhood (U.S. TV series)
–
The show was not renewed after its third season, which Showtime later confirmed was the last. The series was produced and almost entirely written by Masters and Henry Bromell and it was filmed on location in Providence, Rhode Island. The show won a Peabody Award, Brotherhood was created by New England native Blake Masters. Prior to creating the series, Masters made a living selling screenplays to studios, however. Stephen told Masters and his agent Brant Rose that it would work better as a series, Masters agreed to adapt it into a television series, reasoning that the dynamic between the brothers was sustainable and compelling. Stephen brought Masters to present the idea to premium cable network Showtime, after the pilot had been shot, it was shown to the Showtime executives, who ordered an entire season. Because of Masters inexperience in producing television, Showtime executives asked him to someone to help him spearhead the project. Masters, a fan of Homicide, Life on the Street, suggested Henry Bromell, a meeting was arranged between Masters and Bromell through Showtime. Bromell was impressed with the pilot and accepted Masters offer to join the production crew, executive producers Masters and Bromell served as showrunners and head writers during the production of the shows three seasons. The pilot episode, Mark 8,36, was directed by Australian director Phillip Noyce, Noyce also directed the second season premiere. Veteran television director Ed Bianchi directed seven episodes of the show, including the first and second season finales, other recurring directors include Nick Gomez, who directed three episodes, and Steve Shill, Alik Sakharov and Brian Kirk who directed two episodes each. Jean de Segonzac, Leslie Libman, Thomas Carter, Michael Corrente, Seith Mann, Masters and Bromell have also directed the series, with Bromell having directed three episode and Masters two. The series was filmed largely on location in Providence, Rhode Island, after Elizabeth Guber Stephen was told they couldn’t shoot in Boston due to budget, Stephen worked out a deal with the Rhode Island Film Office to work within the network budget. Stephen and her team also helped write the tax incentive legislation for film, the Providence Journal editorialized on the production as follows, The production of Showtimes The Brotherhood has enlivened Providence streets on and off for months. Movies mean money, and film festivals lubricate our celloid culture in preparation for more, some scenes were filmed at the Olneyville New York System Restaurant in Providence. In May 2007 the shows camera crews went to Woonsocket, Rhode Island, to various street scenes. Thanks to events in the first season, Moe holds a grudge against Michael that persists through the whole series. Speaker Damien Di Paola as Paul Carvalho Georgia Lyman as Cassie Giggs, upon returning he begins to re-assume his old criminal business alongside his friend Pete McConagle
5.
House of Cards (U.S. TV series)
–
House of Cards is an American political drama web television series created by Beau Willimon. It is an adaptation of the BBCs mini-series of the name and is based on the novel by Michael Dobbs. The thirteen episode first season premiered on February 1,2013, thirteen episode seasons followed on February 14,2014, February 27,2015 and March 4,2016. Netflix announced a season due for release on May 30,2017. Willimon has stated plans for the shows future are decided after each season. House of Cards is the story of Frank Underwood, a Democrat from South Carolinas 5th congressional district and House Majority Whip. After being passed over for appointment as Secretary of State, he initiates a plan to get himself into a position of greater power, aided by his wife. The series deals primarily with themes of pragmatism, manipulation. House of Cards has received reviews and several award nominations. It is the first original online-only web television series to receive major Emmy nominations, the show also earned eight Golden Globe Award nominations, with Wright winning for Best Actress – Television Series Drama in 2014 and Spacey winning for Best Actor – Television Series Drama in 2015. However, Underwood soon learns that he is no longer being considered for the position, Chief of Staff Linda Vasquez tells Underwood that the president wants him to promote his agenda in Congress and will not honor their agreement. Inwardly seething, Underwood quickly gains control of his anger and hides his disappointment to present himself as a lieutenant to the president. In reality, Underwood begins a plan behind the presidents back. Franks wife Claire runs an NGO, the Clean Water Initiative, using the charity to cultivate her own power and influence, yet its ultimate purpose remains unknown. Despite the success of the operation, Claire seeks to expand its scope to the international stage and they both work with Remy Danton, a corporate lobbyist and former Underwood staffer, to secure funds for their operations and further their influence. Underwood begins a highly intricate plan to obtain a cabinet position, meanwhile, he manipulates Peter Russo, a troubled alcoholic and congressman from Pennsylvania, into helping him undermine Walkers pick for Secretary of State, Senator Michael Kern. Underwood eventually has Kern replaced with his own choice, Senator Catherine Durant, Underwood also uses Russo in a plot to end a teachers strike and pass an education bill, which improves Underwoods standing with President Walker. Because the new Vice President is the governor of Pennsylvania
6.
Orange Is the New Black
–
Orange Is the New Black is an American comedy-drama web television series. Orange Is the New Black is streamed on Netflix, and premiered on July 11,2013, in February 2016, the series was renewed for a fifth, sixth, and seventh season. The fifth season will be released on June 9,2017, Orange Is the New Black has become Netflixs most-watched original series. It has received acclaim and many accolades. A new Emmy rule in 2015 forced the series to change categories from comedy to drama, for its second season, the series received four Emmy nominations, including Outstanding Drama Series, and Uzo Aduba won for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series. Orange Is the New Black is the first series to score Emmy nominations in both comedy and drama categories, Piper had been convicted of transporting a suitcase full of drug money for her girlfriend Alex Vause, an international drug smuggler. The offense had occurred 10 years prior to the start of the series and in that time Piper had moved on to a quiet and her sudden and unexpected indictment severely disrupts her relationships with her fiancé, family and friends. In prison, Piper is reunited with Alex and they re-examine their relationship, simultaneously, Piper must learn how to survive in prison, and how to overcome its numerous, inherent struggles. Episodes often feature flashbacks of significant events from various inmates and prison guards pasts and these flashbacks typically explain how the inmate came to be in prison, or otherwise further develop the characters backstory. Show creator Jenji Kohan read Piper Kermans memoir after a friend sent it to her and this appealed to Kerman as it let her know that she was a fan and she signed off on the adaptation. Kohan would later go on to describe the character, Piper Chapman as a trojan horse for the series allowing it to focus on characters whose demographics would not normally be represented on TV. In July 2011, it was revealed that Netflix was in negotiations with Lionsgate for a 13-episode TV adaptation of Kermans memoirs with Kohan as creator, in November 2011, negotiations were finalized and the series had been greenlit. Casting announcements began in August 2012 with Taylor Schilling, the first to be cast, in the role as Piper Chapman. Kohan instead gave her the role of Alex, around the same time Laverne Cox, a black transgender woman, was cast as Sophia Burset, a transgender character. The Advocate touted Orange Is the New Black as possibly the first women-in-prison narrative to cast a woman for this type of role. This American Life host Ira Glass was offered a role as a radio host. The role instead went to Robert Stanton, who plays the fictional host Maury Kind, the series is set in a fictional prison in Litchfield, New York, which is a real town in upstate New York, but it does not have a federal penitentiary. The series began filming in the old Rockland Childrens Psychiatric Center in Rockland County, New York, the title sequence features photos of real former female prisoners including Kerman herself
7.
Alpha House
–
Alpha House is an American political satire web television series produced by Amazon Studios. The show stars John Goodman, Clark Johnson, Matt Malloy, Senators who share a house in Washington, D. C. It was created by Doonesbury creator Garry Trudeau, the show premiered on Amazon. com on April 19,2013. The series is inspired by several actual Democratic legislators who share a row house in D. C, Senator Dick Durbin, Senator Chuck Schumer, and Representative George Miller. The series has a number of cameos from such as Bill Murray. Amazon Studios offered the first three episodes of Alpha House for free, with each subsequent episode released weekly thereafter for Amazon Prime members on Amazon Video, on February 11,2014, the series was renewed for a second season. Production for the season began filming in July 2014. The series was canceled after the second season, John Goodman as Gil John Biggs, a Republican U. S. Senator from North Carolina and former coach of the North Carolina Tar Heels. Clark Johnson as Robert Bettencourt, a Republican U. S, Senator from Pennsylvania who is currently eighth in seniority. Matt Malloy as Louis Laffer, a Republican U. S, Senator from Nevada who owns the house where the four Senators live. Mark Consuelos as Andy Guzman, a Republican U. S, Senator from Florida and candidate for president. Yara Martinez as Adriana de Portago, Andy Guzmans girlfriend and Cuban-American heiress who runs a super PAC that assists Republican campaigns, alicia Sable as Tammy Stackhouse, a legislative assistant to Senator Biggs. Julie White as Maddie Biggs, the wife of Senator Biggs. Production for the season began filming in July 2014. Reaction to Alpha House has been generally positive, metacritic gives season 1 an average rating of 68/100 based on reviews from 18 critics. Rotten Tomatoes gives the show a score of 72% based on reviews from 25 critics, in Australia, where Amazon Video isnt available, the series premiered on SoHo on July 14,2014, and returned for season two on February 26,2015. Post production including ADR recording for the series was done at recording studio Cherry Beach Sound, Alpha House at the Internet Movie Database Alpha House on Amazon. com
8.
Olive Kitteridge
–
Olive Kitteridge is a novel by American author Elizabeth Strout. It presents a portrait of the character and a number of recurring characters in the coastal town of Crosby. It takes the form of 13 short stories that are interrelated and it won the 2009 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and was a finalist for the 2008 National Book Critics Circle Award. HBO produced a four-part mini-series, based on the novel, featuring Frances McDormand in the title role, the series won eight awards at the 2015 Primetime Emmys. Henry Kitteridge – Olives husband, Crosbys town pharmacist and she and Olive had a bad relationship. Christopher Chris Kitteridge – Olive and Henrys son, a podiatrist, dr. Suzanne Sue Bernstein-Kitteridge – Chriss first wife, Jewish, from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, persuades him to leave Crosby and move to California, they divorce soon thereafter. Ann Kitteridge – Chriss second wife, met in a group for divorcees, encourages him to follow their therapist to New York City. Theodore – Anns son by her first marriage, annabelle – Anns daughter, father never identified, apparently the result of a fling after her divorce. The Thibodeau/McCarthy Family Denise Thibodeau – works at Henry Kitteridges pharmacy, Henry Thibodeau – Denises first husband, a former football hero, works as a plumber, killed in a hunting accident by his best friend Tony Kuzio. Jerry McCarthy – overweight delivery boy at the pharmacy, eventually becomes Denises second husband, paul McCarthy – Jerry and Denises teenaged son, obese like his father. Lounge Patrons and Employees Angela Angie OMeara – alcoholic piano player, malcolm Moody – Crosbys first selectman, having an extramarital affair with Angie. Walter Dalton – alcoholic regular, former professor, Malcom Moody calls him a fairy. Simon – Angies former boyfriend, also a player, left her to become a real estate lawyer in Boston. The Foster Connections Daisy Foster – goes to church with Henry Kitteridge, copper Foster – Daisys deceased husband, a policeman. Harmon – surname never given, owns hardware store, has an affair with Daisy, bonnie – Harmons wife, he eventually leaves her for Daisy. They have 4 adult sons, but only two are named, Kevin – One of Harmon and Bonnies sons, he keeps in closest contact with his parents. Derrick – Another of Harmon and Bonnies sons, more aloof, martha – Kevins wife, a vegetarian. The Burnham Connections Timothy Tim Burnham – sawmill worker, busted for growing marijuana, Nina White – Tims girlfriend, suffers from anorexia, Daisy Foster, Harmon and Olive all try to help her, eventually dies in treatment
